Nothing is left of dozens of houses built remarkably close together for such open country. What last week was a little neighbourhood just off the Whittlesea-Yea Road no longer exists. This road was for many in the area the only means of escape. From the air yesterday — Flowerdale was only open to fire crews, police and victim identification crews — it was clear the road had become a death trap for some.

Bodies lie in front of a house that was razed to the ground on the Whittlesea-Yea Road. Photo: Craig Abraham

Those wanting to flee towards the north were blocked by a massive gum across the road. For those going south, another tree had smashed into a ute, preventing escape. In between the two trees were scorched cars and several blue body bags.

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Police and forensic crews spent much of yesterday trudging through the remains of houses and garages in Flowerdale.

The authorities put the death toll at Flowerdale at three, but it is feared that number will rise.

"I saw bodies in Long Gully Road," said Don Dawson, a Kinglake water carter who took a drive through Flowerdale on Sunday night. "I reckon 80 per cent of Flowerdale is gone. If the police check a place and it's clear, they are putting a foot-long blue ribbon on the fence. If they've found bodies, the tape goes right across the driveway."

Mr Dawson said there were concerns that possibly six people might have been caught in the fires at a Flowerdale adventure camp. "There are trees all around it. The cleared area there would not be big enough to stop the sustain distance from the radiant heat," he said. "If they tried to run for it, there's a narrow lane with 60-foot-high gums. Again, you wouldn't survive the heat."

Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Lyn Gunter, a Flowerdale resident, also believed at least 80 per cent of the town had been destroyed. Thankfully, the school and community hall were spared, she said.

Cr Gunter said that although some Flowerdale residents escaped to the relief centre in Yea, there were others not heard from. "Unfortunately, we have got deaths. It's going to take a lot of time to get over, but the town will rebuild."

But before the task of rebuilding begins, the fires have to be put out. And yesterday, fires still posed a threat to Flowerdale and surrounds.

At noon, helicopters were called in to drop water on blazes flaring again and CFA tankers raced about. Many people had no phone connections, adding to the anxiety.

In a paddock at nearby Pheasant Creek, a worried woman farmer approached the helicopter hired by The Age to warn of a grass fire. Her phones were cut off and she wanted to let the CFA know.

Last night, the CFA and DSE confirmed continuing fire activity in the Flowerdale area. But neither could comment on the extent of damage to the town.

"We have not got concrete figures on losses in Flowerdale," a DSE spokeswoman said.

But Mr Dawson, the Kinglake water carrier, was happy to confirm the Flowerdale Hotel was not among the losses. There was even free beer there on Sunday.